2015 Festivals & Spring Events (St. Augustine & surrounding areas)

Compiled by Renee Unsworth

St. Augustine is known for its big lineup of festivals, which are featured nearly year-round! Here are nearly 20 festivals and spring events in 2015! More will be added in the coming weeks. To submit a festival or spring event, email totallystaugustine@gmail.com

Feb. 27-March 1: 30th Annual Cathedral Festival â€“ held on the grounds near the Mission, where the GreatÂ Cross stands; entertainment lineup will be announced soon. (thecathedralfestival.com)

March 6-8: The 34th St Augustine Lions Seafood Festival – Presented By Winn Dixie â€“ held at Francis Field, 29 W. Castillo Drive; jazz night, family/kids entertainment stage; and former American Idol contestant will be part of the lineup, which will be announced soon (www.lionsfestival.com)

March 7: Lighthouse 5K & Night Fest â€” The St. Augustine Lighthouse will be the site of the annual 5K & Fun Run and a Night Fest on Saturday, March 7. The Night Fest will run from 4 to 9 p.m., with the run beginning at 4:30 p.m., the Fun Run at 5:30 p.m. Admission is FREE to the Night Fest. Register for the run at lighthouse5krun.com

March 13-15: St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival â€” bands include Albannach, The Dublin City Ramblers, Rathkeltair, Searson, Whisky of the Damned, Poor Angus, and Makem & Spain. The festival is held at Francis Field, 29 W. Castillo Drive (celticstaugustine.com)

March 22: The Spring 2015 St. Augustine Record Fair, presented by local record store ToneVendor and the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 22 at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A South. This event is free, family-friendly and open to the public. Music lovers and collectors can shop over 35 tables featuring thousands of new and used vinyl records, CDs, music memorabilia, collectibles, turntable supplies, posters and other unique music-related items. Go to www.staugamphitheatre.com or www.tonevendor.com

March 22: St. Ambrose Spring Fair â€”The 134thannual St. Ambrose Catholic Church Fair is planned from noon to 4 p.m. March 22 at the church, 6070 Church Road, Elkton. Follow the signs from State Roads 207 and 13. Minorcan food, kids activities, live entertainment and more. Admission is FREE

March 28: 16th Annual USA 5K (Health & Fun Fair) â€” This event is hosted by the University of St. Augustine. Stay updated at www.facebook.com/USA5K

March 28-29: Old Town Art Show â€” More than 100 artists and craftsmen from Northeast Florida and from throughout the country are featured at this show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the Francis Field, 29 W. Castillo Drive, downtown St. Augustine. Admission is FREE. Go to www.OldTownArtShow.com

April 5: St. Augustine Easter Parade & Promenade â€”The annual Easter parade begins at 3 p.m. at the Mission of Nombre de Dios and heads south on San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine. A promenade will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the Plaza de la Constitucion and includes a costume/Easter finery contest.

April 10-12: 20th Annual Rhythm & Ribs Festival â€” Barbecue vendors and competition, live music, kids zone and Kiss the Pig. The entertainment lineup to be announced soon; the festival is held at Francis Field, 29 W. Castillo Drive (rhythmandribs.net)

April 18-19: EPIC Flower & Garden Expo â€” A popular event in northeast Florida, the Flower and Garden Expo will delight gardeners of all ages with growers, nurseries and artisans from around the state offering shoppers every item to make your garden all it can be â€” held at the St. Johns County Agricultural Center, 3125 Agricultural Center Drive. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 18; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 19. Use your Expo pass to receive free admission to the Taste of St. Augustine on April 25! Go to epicbh.org/flowerandgardenexpo

April 22-26: 13th Annual Florida’s Birding and Photo Fest â€” More than 110 birding and outdoor photography events in St. Johns County and surrounding locations. This festival is headquartered at the GTM Research Reserve, located 8 miles north of St. Augustine on A1A North. Go to www.FloridasBirdingAndPhotoFest.com

April 25: A Taste of St. Augustine â€” The 19th annual event will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 25 at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Taste samples from more than 20 St. Augustine restaurants and vote for â€œPeopleâ€™s Choice.â€ Live music and the annual Race to the Taste 5K are part of the event. Go to epicbh.org/tasteofstaugustine

April 25: Feel the Wheels â€” Hands-on fun for all ages during a static display of service vehicles of all kinds â€” helicopters, firetrucks, boats, tractors and so much more â€” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of the St. Augustine Outlet Mall, off State Road 16 in St. Augustine. Hosted by Tag! Children’s Museum of St. Augustine (www.tagmuseum.org and www.facebook.com/tagmuseum)

May 1-3: 20th Annual Gamble Rogers Music Festival â€” Three days of live music at area venues including the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall and the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Go to www.gamblerogersfest.org

May 1-3: Paseo Pastel (St. Augustine Chalk Walk) â€” Professional chalk artists, local artists and area students come together to chalk the sidewalks near the St. Augustine Visitors Information Center, 10 W. Castillo Drive, downtown St. Augustine. Go to www.staugustinechalkwalk.com

May 8-17: Romanza Festivale of the Arts â€” 10 days of the arts in St. Augustine â€” concerts, art exhibits, live theatre shows, dance, street festivals and a parade, historical celebrations and so much more! Go to www.romanzafestivale.com

May 17: Second Annual Children’s Arts Festival â€” 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 17 at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A South, on the island south of the St. Augustine Lighthouse. This is a free, interactive event that will take place rain or shine. More than 1,300 attended last year’s festival where children participated in a myriad of art, music and dance activities, played historic games, wrote poems, and listened to music and storytelling. Many of last year’s artists, musicians and arts organizations will again be returning. Organizations, clubs and vendors are invited to participate by emailing Carol Gladstone at grambini1@comcast.net by March 1.

A carnival ride is shown at the 2014 Cathedral Festival, on the grounds of the Mission in St. Augustine. The 2015 event is set for Feb. 27-March 1 in the same location. See event details below. Photo by Renee Unsworth